Japan Win Maiden Women's World Cup

Japan are FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champions for the first time after a penalty shootout victory over USA, following a drama-charged 2-2 draw in Frankfurt. 

Defender Saki Kumagai had the honour of hitting home the decisive spot-kick as Japan triumphed 3-1 in the shootout. USA were twice pegged back but it took Homare Sawa to equalise three minutes from the end of extra time to force penalties. 

USA created numerous goalscoring opportunities throughout the match but Aya Miyama’s goal nine minutes from the end of the 90 minutes forced extra time, after Alex Morgan had given the Stars and Stripes the lead on 69 minutes. Abby Wambach seemed set to have scored the winner on 104 minutes until Sawa’s late intervention. 

The tone was set for a strong USA performance with the two-time world champions showing their intent from the opening whistle. Lauren Cheney forced a save from Ayumi Kaihori with a shot from a highly acute angle, after the forward had outmuscled Azusa Iwashimizu just 25 second into the contest. 

On eight minutes, Megan Rapinoe found some space on the left and her excellent near post ball was turned just wide by Cheney. Barely a minute later, Wambach fired a shot over as USA maintained their bright start. 

Carli Lloyd could then easily have opened the scoring when Japan were unable to deal with Wambach’s presence under a high early cross into the penalty area. The ball fell kindly for the midfielder but she blazed narrowly over the crossbar from 15 metres. 

Rapinoe then pushed the ball wide at the near post in a move reminiscent of Cheney’s effort a few minutes earlier. 

Unlike recent matches, Japan were struggling to maintain any possession in midfield. USA kept up their attacking raids as the lively Rapinoe burst into the area on the left and blazed a shot against the outside of Kaihori’s post. 

The match started to settle by the midway point of the opening half, and Japan finally had their first shot of note on 22 minutes, but Shinobu Ohno’s strike was wayward. 

The moment of the first half came on 29 minutes as Wambach, USA’s all-time top FIFA Women’s World Cup goalscorer, hit a stunning shot from close to the corner of the penalty area which rattled the underside of the crossbar and away to safety, with Kaihori well beaten. 

Japan finally displayed some of their semi-final form just past the half-hour mark as Ohno threaded a pass behind the defence, but Kozue Ando was unable to get power on her effort from a good shooting position. 

Cheney then pushed a looping header onto the roof of the net after a long ball deceived a staticJapan backline. 

USA commenced the second half in much the same way they did the first. Just four minutes after the interval, Heather O’Reilly crossed from the right and Morgan, who came on for Cheney during the break, pushed her near post effort against the post. 

O’Reilly then blasted a shot against the side-netting from distance, while Wambach skied a good opportunity after being set free by a delightful Rapinoe ball. 

Just past the hour mark, Sawa, enjoying a rare moment of time on the ball in the attacking third, threaded a smart pass for Yukari Kinga but the defender’s shot was well wide. 

Minutes later Wambach’s smart header forced an excellent save from Kaihori as USA pushed ever closer to an opener. 

Finally USA secured reward for their dominance with the opening goal on 69 minutes as Morgan broke the deadlock with her second of the tournament. A quick counter attack saw Rapinoe play an excellent ball through for Morgan to use her strength to hold off a defender, before hitting a perfect finish past Kaihori.

The 22-year-old Morgan again proved herself as a player for the big occasion, having hit the winner for USA against Korea DPR in the final of the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Japan equalised somewhat against the run of play 12 minutes later as a cross from the right caused chaos in the USA defence, with Miyama taking full advantage to push the ball past Hope Solo from close range. 

The match was end-to-end in the remaining minutes with Kinga and O’Reilly both firing good efforts in on goal without being able to break the deadlock. So for the fourth time in six FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, 90 minutes proved not enough to find a winner. 

The match continued in an open fashion and at a high tempo following the recommencement. Morgan carved out the first opening of extra time only to shoot askew after getting the better of two defenders. 

USA again took the lead one minute prior to the end of the opening period of extra time. Wambach powered home a bullet header from close range following Morgan’s precise cross. It was Wambach’s fourth of the tournament, all from headers. 

With five minutes remaining, Kinga pushed the ball past the onrushing Solo with only a clearance from retreating captain Christie Rampone denying an equaliser.

However, from the ensuing corner, Sawa equalised by diverting Miyama’s corner with just three minutes remaining. The goal not only ensured the match would be decided by penalties but lifted Sawa into the outright lead as top goalscorer, with five goals. Iwashimizu was then sent off for a professional foul as time ran out.

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath failed to convert USA's opening three penalties, and while Yuki Nagasato had her effort saved, Japan were not to be denied as Asia claimed the title for the first time.

Solo Believes Sundhage is the Secret

US goalkeeper Hope Solo believes the freedom of expression encouraged by coach Pia Sundhage will benefit her team in Sunday's World Cup final.

She said Sundhage had "changed the entire dynamic" of the US team when she took over in 2007.

Solo added: "She likes to sit back, she says 'you guys are creative, you are soccer players', she wants us to think and read the game for ourselves."

Japan are playing in their first final while the US have won the trophy twice.

In 25 matches between them, Japan have never beaten the US and have only managed three draws.

And in their most recent clashes, they suffered a pair of 0-2 defeats within four days of each other in May.

But Japan will head into the final with confidence after overcoming Sweden 3-1 in the semi-finals.

Germany 2011 has been anything but simple for the US. They lost 1-2 to Sweden during the group stages and only equalised in their semi-final against Brazil in the final seconds of extra-time before going on to win on penalties.

However, Solo said the flexible approach encouraged by Sundhage made the team confident of victory in the final.

"Of course we need her expertise, her input and she shows that when she brings a change of tactics," she said, "but every player likes to have a bit of freedom on the field. It brings the joy back to us, back to the time when we were little kids and just played for the hell of it."

Although Japan enter the final as underdogs, they are a team on the rise, having finished fourth in the 2008 Olympics. They are now fourth in the Fifa women's world rankings.

Midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi, who scored twice on her full debut against the Swedes, said: "Our results here in Germany have given us a lot of confidence.

"We have momentum and now we want to try and beat the US."

Beating the Americans - champions in 1991 and 1999, with third-place finishes in 1995, 2003 and 2007 - will be a tough task.

But Kawasumi insisted Japan's "strong mentality and teamwork" would pose the favourites plenty of problems.

Sundhage, who led the US to Olympic gold in 2008 in Beijing, said her team's tough time qualifying for the World Cup - securing the final place in the tournament with a play-off win over Italy in November 2010 - had strengthened their resolve.

"Because we had such a bumpy road, we came out stronger and we have learnt the lesson that we cannot take anything for granted.

"So we have tried to enjoy every day and be grateful for every day we have a game or training.

"This team has great heart and spirit and we are humble enough to recognise when we need to change some things."

Regardless of the result, Kawasumi hopes Japan's exploits in Germany will inspire a new generation of female footballers at home.

"Normally, we don't have a lot of media coverage for women's football in Japan, but when we have good results such as here in Germany or at the Olympics, people get to know about women's football.

"It is an important opportunity to promote the team and the game.

"I was inspired very much by previous national team players which, in part, is why I am here in Germany. I would be very happy if I too could be a role model for young players in Japan."

Japan Hope to Break US Record

Aya Miyama

Japan go into their first Women's World Cup final as underdogs against two-time winners the United States on Sunday.

They have never defeated the US in 25 matches, drawing only three of those contests, but are buoyed by their 3-1 win over Sweden in the semi-finals.

Nahomi Kawasumi, who scored twice on her full debut against the Swedes, said: "Our results here in Germany have given us a lot of confidence.

"We have momentum and now we want to try and beat the US."

With a fourth-place finish at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and a recent climb into the top five of the Fifa women's world rankings, Japan are a team on the rise.

Beating the Americans - champions in 1991 and 1999, with third-place finishes in 1995, 2003 and 2007 - will be a tough task.

But midfielder Kawasumi insisted Japan's "strong mentality and teamwork" will pose problems for the US in the final.

Regardless of the result, she is hoping Japan's exploits in Germany will inspire a new generation of female footballers at home.

"Normally, we don't have a lot of media coverage for women's football in Japan, but when we have good results such as here in Germany or at the Olympics, people get to know about women's football.

"It is an important opportunity to promote the team and the game.

"I was inspired very much by previous national team players which, in part, is why I am here in Germany. I would be very happy if I too could be a role model for young players in Japan."

Cup Dream Over for German Women

Silvia Neid

Germany's dream of a third FIFA Women's World Cup™ triumph in a row crumbled to dust in Wolfsburg on Saturday evening, unleashing a numbing wave of shock and disbelief in the host nation. The quarter-final defeat to Japan by the only goal of the game in extra time was not how the script was meant to read. It was not only Germany's first defeat in 12 years at the global tournament, it was also a near-tragic final act for a truly golden generation.

German FA (DFB) president Dr Theo Zwanziger made no attempt to hide his dismay afterwards. “We’re deeply disappointed. The players who were in their last tournament would have loved to bow out with a trophy. But defeats are as much a part of sport as victories."

Coach Silvia Neid's team certainly controlled their encounter with the hard-running, superbly disciplined and technically excellent Japanese for long stretches of the 120 minutes, but still left the field empty-handed. With no exceptions, the players who had hoped to make it a hat-trick on the global stage were on the verge of tears, and a handful simply broke down and wept copiously. “It really hasn't sunk in yet. To me, what's just happened is almost surreal," keeper Nadine Angerer amented.

Neid collected her thoughts with admirable speed afterwards, recognising with a sense of resignation that it was simply not Germany's day. “It's happened exactly as I feared it might. When you play the team ranked fourth in the world, the tiny things make the difference. We didn't have it in us to score today. Our set plays were too imprecise, and when you play Japan, you're always at risk of being caught on the break. Obviously, it's very sad and disappointing. We had the desire, but we could have played for all eternity today and still not scored."

To add injury to insult, as it were, the match opened disastrously for the hosts when shooting star Kim Kulig hobbled off in obvious pain just a few minutes into the game. Germany team doctor Bernd Lasarzewski has subsequently confirmed that the forceful 21-year-old midfielder, who signed for FFC Frankfurt from Hamburg a short time ago, has ruptured a cruciate ligament and will be out of action for at least six months.

Birgit’s sad farewell

Naturally, one defeat is not the end of the world for women's football in Germany, as the national team is all but certain to retain its place in the elite for the foreseeable future. A role as one of the favourites for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 in Canada seems predestined. However, Saturday's defeat to the big-hearted Japanese does mean a brutal, abrupt and unexpected end to an illustrious era, and the departure from the international stage of some of the greatest women's players of all time.

Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and (still) FIFA Women's World Cup top scorer Birgit Prinz will finish with 128 goals from 214 appearances for her country, while versatile defender Ariane Hingst amassed 10 goals in 174 matches. Striker Inka Grings is 32 and has yet to decide whether to represent her country again. Angerer is the same age, and winger Kerstin Garefrekes just a year younger: both will be considering their international futures.

In retrospect, Prinz’ exit from international football was a touch unworthy of such a towering figure. She watched the whole of the quarter-final from the bench, and also failed to feature in a 4–2 victory over France in Germany's final group fixture. “I'm frustrated and disappointed. I felt fit and I'd have happily played. But the coach decided otherwise, and I accept that," the player stated. Looking ahead, the question will be which of a genuinely promising new generation, spearheaded by Kulig,Alexandra Popp, Fatmire Bajramaj, Simone Laudehr and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, will now fill the gap left by the greatest player yet in the history of the German women's game.

It is not a case of a totally fresh start, but rather of re-acclimatising following more than a decade laden with trophies and triumphs. Difficult as the process may be, it could yet prove the crucible for a collection of new faces to emerge from the shadows and take up the reins for themselves.

Norway Suffer Double World Cup Woe

Elise Thorsnes

There was silence, blank stares and long faces all round as Norway left the FIFA Women's World Cup Stadium in Leverkusen, the scene of their crushing 2-1 loss to Australia in the final match of Group D. The defeat not only eliminated Norway from the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011™, but also denied them a place in next summer's Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

"Conceding the goal so soon after scoring the opener was very hard to take, especially considering how hard we'd worked," Norway captain Ingvild Stensland told FIFA.com, hands on hips and with a look of disbelief still etched across her face. "The match was full of emotions. One minute we were up in the clouds, the next we were crashing down to earth with a bang."

Indeed, Elise Thorsnes' goal after 56 minutes sparked scenes of joy on the Norwegian bench, but the celebrations were extremely short-lived. The Matildas hit back almost immediately after the restart, with the irrepressible Kyah Simon side-footing home a Lisa De Vanna pull-back to square the tie.Norway's lead lasted just over a minute, and the equaliser proved to be the turning point.

Norway never managed to recover from the setback, with their attacking moves becoming ever more desperate and wayward as the match progressed. Lady Luck was certainly not smiling on the Scandinavians either, as Trine Ronning will no doubt attest. The experienced defender struck a superb curling free-kick in the 83rd minute, only to see it bounce back off the Australian crossbar. Just four minutes later, Simon popped up at the other end to score her second goal and seal Norway's exit.

"What can I say? It was a good strike!" said an almost speechless Ronning, before receiving a hug from coach Eli Landsem. Even Australia coach Tom Sermanni recognised his side's good fortune. "When I saw the ball come back off the crossbar I thought, 'it looks like today might be our day'," he said in a post-match press conference. For Ronning, however, disappointment was the overriding emotion: "It's very hard to explain what we're feeling today. We're out of the competition and we won't be playing at the Olympics."

Norway won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1995, and never before have they been knocked out of the competition at such an early stage. Their worst showing until now was at USA 2003, when they lost to the hosts in the quarter-finals. "Right now it's difficult to know exactly why we failed in this competition," said Ronning. "We need to go home and analyse what happened. We have to be honest with ourselves and recognise that we weren't good enough."

"There are many teams that have come on leaps and bounds in women's football," added the player. "That's good, but it makes everything more difficult. The level is much higher, and now there's no such thing as an easy match or a weaker opponent. Australia are a good example. They have grown and developed a lot. All we can do now is learn from this and wish them good luck for the rest of the competition."

Norway will no doubt see Germany 2011 as a missed opportunity, but they will soon be moving on to their next challenge. "We can't let our heads drop, we have to start looking forward," said Stensland. "The good thing is that qualifying for the Women's EURO 2013 starts in a few months. So getting to Sweden is our next goal."

"It's incredibly disappointing," concluded coach Landsem, reflecting on her side's exit. "We had high hopes of going much further, especially after the first match. But we'll now go home and work even harder. We'll be back, and we'll be even stronger."

Women's World Cup Recap

Stephany Mayor of Mexico

The conclusion of Groups A and B at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™ delivered great goals, brought about the end of two long-standing goal droughts and produced a historic achievement for New Zealand. It also confirmed the first two fixtures of this year’s quarter-final line-up: Germany-Japan and England-France. 

In an intense, emotional game which saw four out of six goals originate from headers, it was Inka Grings’ first-half strike that arguably stood out the most. Finishing off a great move by the host nation, the Germany striker, lurking midway inside the France box, lost her marker and powerfully headed home a tremendous whipped cross from the left by midfielder Simone Laudehr. In doing so, she brought a 12-year lean spell at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to an end, her last goal having come against Mexico in 1999, her third in that particular match. On this occasion, too, she was not content with scoring just the one goal, grabbing a second from the penalty spot in the second half.

Another player whose last goal at the tournament had come 12 years before was Mexico’s Maribel Domínguez. Her strike against Brazil was her country’s solitary breakthrough at USA 1999, while this time around her cool first-half finish against New Zealand would turn out to be El Tri’s last goal in the competition.

England coach Hope Powell may not have seen competitive action since the late 1990s, but she showed that she has lost none of her old skills during her charges’ Group C match with Japan. Twice the former attacking midfielder instantly controlled balls that had gone out of play, and indulged in a little crowd-pleasing juggling before heading it back in the direction of smiling Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama, waiting to take the resulting throw-in.

Although Nigeria had already been officially eliminated from the competition prior to their final group match against Canada, this fact did not appear to have affected the Africans’ mood. As they made their way from the hotel to the stadium, music, singing and clapping could be heard. The good humour spread to the stands when, in the 73rd minute, the lights went out at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden. The ensuing ten-minute delay was brightened up by songs and laughter from the fans. After the restart, the match sparked to life via a goal from Perpetua Nkwocha, who calmly slotted home to win the match for her team.

France goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz had the dubious honour of becoming the first player to be sent off at Germany 2011, bringing down the host nation’s Fatmire Bajramaj for a penalty and a straight red card. She is the third player of her position in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be dismissed from the pitch, after Chinese Taipei’s Lin Hui Fang in 1991 and USA’s Briana Scurry in 1995. 

Before and after every game, the Japanese players have displayed a banner with a message thanking fans around the world for their support, following the terrible earthquake that struck the country in March. In a touching gesture, this time their English counterparts showed no hesitation in accompanying their opponents as they carried the sign around the pitch.

In a performance brimming with pride, New Zealand, thanks to two goals in the final minutes of their clash with Mexico, picked up their first-ever point at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. While their 1991 and 2007 campaigns saw them lose every single match, Germany 2011 will be remembered for their maiden draw at this level. The Kiwis duly celebrated the achievement by dancing a traditional Haka.

“It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. The goal was a bit of a fluke! (laughs). I stuck out my leg, and it bounced off me and went in. No, seriously, it was a great pass from Karen Carney. I saw it early and was dying to get on the end of it. I knew that their keeper was a little shorter than those that we’d faced up to now, so I tried a lob - it was fantastic to see it hit the back of the net,” Ellen White, the England forward, on her country’s opening goal against Japan, her first of the tournament.

“I’m proud of my players, who aren’t professionals, let’s remember. They get up extremely early to go to work or university, and still find time to attend training sessions. And then they go and earn a point at the World Cup - for me, they’re heroines,” John Herdman, New Zealand coach.

Maurine a Key Part of Brazilian Team

Maurine

Typically it is Brazil’s front three that receive the bulk of the headlines and adulation. However, As Canarinhas’ hard-working display in their opening match against Australia was evidence that there is quality and composure across both the midfield and the defence. 

The resolute display of a midfield quartet of Fabiana, Formiga, Ester and Maurine was key to victory in Monchengladbach although typically, many of the headlines went to the team’s fabled attacking players. However, as much as anything, it was it was the pragmatic resolve on display in the centre of the park which indicates that Brazil’s Class of 2011 have the ability to go one better than their runners-up finish of four years ago, and claim their first FIFA Women’s World Cup™. 

“The defensive pressure was very big in our first game against Australia, but I think we did well, left-sided midfielder Maurine told FIFA.com. “To win the first match is a step towards our goal. I was nervous at first, but in a healthy way and you could say it was a good thing. I think I was able to make a contribution to the result in the first match. It’s good to play the first game and now we can worry about the upcoming matches.” 

The demeanour of the Brazil players in the team hotel is typically one of high-spirits, a day away from a key clash against Norway on Sunday at the Arena Im Allerpark. The contest is potentially pivotal to the outcome of Group D and victory would likely confirm As Canarinhas’ progression to the next round, with the other match taking place in Bochum between Australia and Equatorial Guinea.

Not that Maurine is prepared to take anything for granted. “Australia has one style of play and Norway has a different style again, so it will be a different kind of challenge for us,” she said. “We know that each match will be hard and a challenge in its own right. We have to focus on improving some areas from the Brazil match, even though Norway will provide us with a different style of opponent.” 

The 25-year-old also features on the left side of midfield for top USA side Western New York Flash, meaning she has the opportunity to link on the same flank with superstar team-mate Marta for both club and country. Maurine, who says she loves to push forward at every opportunity in support of Marta, is a natural right-footer but is prepared to humbly admit at being adept with both feet. 

For the national team Maurine may well be a fixture on the left side, but it wasn’t always the case. The role only became her own after a goalscoring performance in that position against Germany two years ago. On that occasion Maurine’s equaliser from the left flank ensured a draw between the two teams, in front of a then European record crowd in Frankfurt. A repeat of that fixture may of course yet be repeated in the latter stage of Germany 2011. 

After impressing at the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Maurine went from Santos, home to many of Brazil’s female elite, to a career in USA. Firstly there was a stint with Atlanta Beat, before this year linking with the Flash; the WPS’s newest club based in the women’s football stronghold of Rochester in upstate New York. 

The move to the United States has helped her develop as both a footballer and as a person states Maurine. Living with national team-mate Marta this season has helped, with the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year having spent a number of years in the US. It also means the pair have continued to develop a strong relationship both on and off the field.

For now though the focus is firmly on Brazil securing a maiden world championship after narrowly failing short several times, most notably with a 2-0 defeat against Germany at China 2007. “We often talk about going so close four years ago,” said Maurine. “Now we are looking for this to be our time and are working hard towards our goal.”

Hosts Make Winning World Cup Start

Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi

Goals from Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi gave Germany a 2-1 win over Canada in Group A of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in front of 73,680 football fans at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

After a glittering opening ceremony and backed by the vast majority of the capacity crowd, Germany had the better of the initial exchanges, but it was Carolina Morace’s side who had the first real chance. Receiving the ball inside the box, the experienced Christine Sinclair blazed over when many, including the striker, expected the game’s opening goal.

At the other end, Erin McLeod pulled off a fine one-handed save to deny Garefrekes after she was supplied by the influential Melanie Behringer. However, the Canadian custodian was powerless to stop the hosts from scoring in the tenth minute.

Babett Peter put in a dangerous cross into the box from the left hand side, Garefrekes outjumped Marie-Eve Naultat at the far post and headed the ball into the gaping goal.

Canada were reduced to trying their luck from distance, but went close when a rasping drive from Diana Matheson flew narrowly wide.

From then on Sylvia Neid’s side controlled the first half, and indeed the game. Their second goal came just before half-time when Garefrekes hopeful punt into space was claimed by the pace of Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi. The midfielder, who turns 23 tomorrow, brought the ball down left thigh before rolling it past McLeod with her right foot.

The introduction of Alexandra Popp in the 56th minute led to several chances for the hosts. The Duisburg forward clipped the top of the bar with a shot from the edge of the box and then turned provider, finding the unmarked Garefrekes who contrived to fire over from 12 yards with the goal at her mercy.

Simone Laudehr’s shot from distance cannoned off the crossbar as the game entered into its closing stages, but there was still time for a nervous finish when Sinclair curled a free-kick over the German wall and into the back of the net with eight minutes remaining.

It was the first goal conceded by Germany in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match in 679 minutes of football dating back to 2003. While many other teams may have crumbled under the pressure,Germany did not and closed the game out expertly to take them to the top of the early standings.